BUFFALO, N.Y. — The COVID-19 Delta variant has reached New York state, according to the Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center. The lab reports 122 cases out of over 12,934 studied virus samples. 

What You Need To Know

  • 122 cases of Delta variant found from 12,934 samples in NY

  • Delta variant is twice as transmissible

  • Researchers say fully vaccinated people are safe from it

  • Studies show unvaccinated people who catch it can get sicker than they would if they had the original strain of coronavirus

Researchers at the University at Buffalo said the variant is at least twice as transmissible as the original coronavirus, and is a concern for people who are not fully vaccinated, as well as children.

“There is the potential to have these localized outbreaks within communities and so we want to avoid that,” said Dr. Jennifer Surtees, associate professor of biochemistry at Jacobs School of Medicine.

She continued to say that people who are fully vaccinated are safe from the variant and unlikely to spread it to others. The only way to fight the mutation and COVID-19 as a whole is for people to get the vaccine.

“Millions of people have been vaccinated and these vaccines are safe and they are effective,” said Dr. Surtees. “If you are not vaccinated, you should continue to wear a mask. You should continue to distance from people.”

She said people and children who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear a mask and socially distance themselves from others.